Pedestrian struck by van has long recovery, says his mother

Cody Dodd, the 24-year-old pedestrian struck by a van on Front Street in mid-December, is expected to recover from his injuries, but he has a long road ahead of him, his mother said.

Butte-Silver Bow Undersheriff George Skuletich said Dodd crossed Front Street at about 6 p.m. on Dec. 11 near Nevada Street. There is no crosswalk in that area. Skuletich said other drivers swerved to avoid Dodd. The driver of the van also swerved, and Dodd tried to jump out of the way, according to eyewitness accounts, Skuletich said. But both Dodd and the driver swerved in the same direction and the driver struck Dodd.

Skuletich said Dodd’s head struck the windshield, but he was talking to first responders at the scene and later at St. James Healthcare.

But Dodd’s injuries prompted healthcare providers to have him flown to St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings.

Dodd’s mother, Misty, said from Helena last week that her son sustained severe brain trauma, a cracked and partly crushed skull, fractured cheekbones, his jaws have been wired shut, a tube is helping him to breathe and he was put into a medically induced coma for 19 days.

He is out of the coma, but is disoriented and “very confused,” Dodd said.

Cody Dodd is living in a long-term facility, the Advanced Care Hospital of Montana in Billings. Dodd said she expects her son to be moved to another rehabilitation hospital, either in Billings or Missoula, for “at least a year.”

However, she said her son is expected to recover, but “it will take a long time,’’ she said.

The crash remains under investigation, Skuletich said. But police have determined that the driver was not speeding and neither drugs nor alcohol were factors.

The county attorney will determine if charges will be filed against the driver, authorities said.